Method and apparatus to control cell substitution

Abstract

A communication system determines a cell substitution method based on information for a call to improve call quality. The communication system receives information for the call. The communication system then determines the cell substitution method based on the information. The communication system generates an instruction to use the cell substitution method for the call. The communication system advantageously uses an optimal cell substitution method for each different type of call. The communication system uses the optimal cell substitution method when a cell is lost or misinserted.

I claim:  
     
       1. A method of operating a communication system comprising: 
       receiving sing for a call, and in response, determining if the signaling includes a cell substitution selection parameter;  
       if the signaling includes the cell substitution selection parameter, then selecting one of a plurality of cell substitution methods for the call based on the cell substitution selection parameter;  
       if the signaling does not include the cell substitution selection parameter, then receiving the call communications, and in response, determining a call type and selecting the selected one of the cell substitution methods for the call based on the call type; and  
       implementing the selected one of the cell substitution methods for the call.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the signaling comprises a signaling system #7 initial address message. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the signaling comprises integrated services digital network signaling. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the signaling comprises channel associated signaling. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the selected one of the cell substitution methods comprises substituting white noise for a lost cell. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the selected one of the cell substitution methods comprises repeating a last cell for a lost cell. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the selected one of the cell substitution methods comprises substituting silence for a lost cell. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the call type comprises a voice call. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the call type comprises a data call. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the call type comprises a facsimile call. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the call type comprises a modem call. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein the cell substitution selection parameter comprises a calling party category. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein the cell substitution selection parameter comprises echo control information. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein the cell substitution selection parameter comprises a transmission medium requirement.